3-Nitrobenzoic acid

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 240(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.83(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that 3-nitrobenzoic acid is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of 3-nitrobenzoic acid is 3.46(4), indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5). Volatilization of 3-nitrobenzoic acid from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.8X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(6). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 3.7X10-5 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(7). Biodegradation of 3-nitrobenzoic acid by soil microflora inoculum took greater than 64 days(8), suggesting that biodegradation is a slow environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 240(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.83(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that 3-nitrobenzoic acid is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.8X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). A pKa of 3.46(5) indicates 3-nitrobenzoic acid will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(6). According to a classification scheme(7), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). A theoretical BOD of 42.0% in river water after 5 days(9), suggests that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), 3-nitrobenzoic acid, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 3.7X10-5 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 3-nitrobenzoic acid is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 26 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 6.1X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase 3-nitrobenzoic acid may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=121-92-6]

The Koc of 3-nitrobenzoic acid is estimated as 240(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.83(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that 3-nitrobenzoic acid is expected to have moderate mobility in soil. The pKa of 3-nitrobenzoic acid is 3.46(4), indicating that this compound will existalmost entirely in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5).

3-Nitrobenzoic acid's production and use as a dye intermediate(1), reagent for alkaloids and thorium(2), and in the preparation of 5-amino-2-hydroxy benzoic acid(3) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

AEROBIC: 3-Nitrobenzene reached 42.0% of its theoretical BOD in river water collected from Songhua River, China after 5 days. The river water samples contained about 8.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen, 800-3000/mL bacteria counts, exhibited a pH 6.8-7.0, and temperatures of 15-20 °C(1). Decomposition of nitrobenzoic acid by soil microflora inoculum took greater than 64 days(2). After 210 minutes, little oxygen consumption by phenol adapted biological cultures occurred with 3-nitrobenzoic acid(3). The amounts of oxygen consumed after the 210 minute test time are 83 ul (endogenous), 96 ul (cells plus 100 mg/L 3-nitrobenzoic acid), and 342 ul (cells plus phenol - after 90 minutes) which results in a ratio of only 1.2 endogenous to 3-nitrobenzoic acid oxygen consumption(3). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid, present at 100 mg/L, reached 0-12% of its theoretical BOD in 2 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L and the Japanese MITI test(4).

AEROBIC: The UV absorbency of the mononitro benzoic acid compounds disappeared in 7 days in sewage effluent in the presence of oxygen, suggesting ring cleavage and possible mineralization(1). The lag time for the degradation of 16 mg/L of 3-nitrobenzoic acid was 7-14 days by wastewater, and did not degrade (>25 days) by soil(2). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid had a degradation time of 3-7 weeks in freshwater lake sediment and was considered to be metabolized with no mineralization(3). Three moles of hydrogen are required to reduce each nitro group to the amino group(4). Based upon COD, 93.4% 3-nitrobenzoic acid was removed at a rate of 7.0 mg COD/g hour in adapted activated sludge(5). 3-Nitro sodium benzoate was biologically degradable in aerated sludge containing 500 mg/L COD although 62 days passed before the first 500 mg COD was removed(6). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid biodegraded after more than 240 hours using an electrolytic respirometer(7).

ANAEROBIC: 3-Nitrobenzoic acid inhibited the biodegradation of an organic medium consisting of glucose and glutamic acid and was not degraded under anaerobic conditions after 28 days under both low load conditions (30 mg-C/L test compound and 100 mg-C/L seeding bacteria) and high load conditions (100 mg-C/L test compound and 30 mg-C/L seeding bacteria)(1). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid was inhibitory to biodegradation in diluted anaerobic primary digesting sludge with a lag period greater than 80 days(2). Under anaerobiosis, mononitro benzoic acids were transformed to aromatic amines(3).

PURE CULTURE: 3-Nitrobenzoic acid gave rise to significant growth of Nocardia v. at a concentration of 0.05% (w/v) after 16 days(1). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid was inhibitory to growth of Nocardia and Pseudomonas(2). Nocardia M1 produces nitrate but no ammonia from 3-nitrobenzoic acid(3).

An estimated BCF of 3.2 was calculated for 3-nitrobenzoic acid(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.83(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC), provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC).

A pKa of 3.46(1) indicates 3-nitrobenzoic acid will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces or moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(2). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 3.71X10-5 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Hepatotoxic effects of 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid, and 3-nitrobenzoic acid and 4-chlorobenzoic acid were studied at the doses corresponding to LD50, 1/10 LD50 and 1/50 LD50. The toxic effects were estimated by monitoring alterations in activity of protein synthesizing system in liver tissue and by the analyses for the presence in blood serum of two tissue specific cytoplasmic enzymes of liver cells--urokaninase (EC 4.2.1.49) and histidase (EC 4.3.1.3). Single peroral administration of the substances at a dose equal to LD50 led to dissimilar alterations in synthesis of liver proteins: activation within 0.5-5 hours, distinct increases up to the maximal value within 60 hours, with a gradual decrease approaching the control values within 8 days. Urokaninase and histidase activities were found in blood serum within 8 hours after the intoxication, reaching the maximum within 15 hours and exhibited the constant level during 25 hours. Then the enzymatic activity was gradually decreased but it did not reach the control values within 70 hours. After daily peroral administration of these substances at the doses corresponding to 1/10 LD50 and 1/50 LD50, only the first dose inhibited the protein synthesis within 2 weeks. Within this period the enzymes studied were not found in blood serum. Distinct inhibition of the protein synthesis was observed within 4 weeks after administration of both these doses. In this case enzymatic activity was present in blood serum ... . Within 2 months after administration of these preparations the alterations studied were the most distinct.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity/ Para- and meta-nitrobenzoic acids were tested by the continuous breeding protocol. Based on a 14 day range finding study, doses of 0.35, 0.75, and 1.5%, administered via feed, /estimated mg/kg doses were 230 and 1,000 mg/kg/ were selected for study. During cohabitation, both nitrobenzoic acids adversely affected litters/pair, live pups/litter, and pup weights (para-nitrobenzoic acid slightly more severe). meta-Nitrobenzoic acid treatment of 1.5% reduced postnatal survival. Crossover mating showed that the nitrobenzoic acids affected females but not males. F1 mice were fed nitrobenzoic acids at the parental dose levels from weaning onward and mated at sexual maturity. Both nitrobenzoic acid's decreased live pups/litter and pup weight for F1 pairs; para-nitrobenzoic acid effects were marginally more severe. Estrous cycle length increased in F0 females at 1.5% para-nitrobenzoic acid but not in the F1. Male reproductive organ/body weight ratios decreased in the para-nitrobenzoic acid F1 but not the F0. meta-Nitrobenzoic acid did not affect estrous cycles or reproductive organ weights. F0 and F1 epididymal sperm parameters were unaffected. It was concluded that nitrobenzoic acids are reproductive toxicants in Swiss mice, particularly in the females and at levels in the feed above 0.75%.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of 3-nitrobenzoic acid with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 6.1X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 26 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). 3-Nitrobenzoic acid contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. 3-Nitrobenzoic acid is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.